Environmental Tobacco Smoke Exposure in Pregnancy is Associated With Earlier Delivery and Reduced Birth Weight.

The association between maternal smoking and preterm birth (PTB) has been known for more than 50 years but the effect of passive smoking is controversial. This retrospective cohort study in Bristol, United Kingdom, examines the effect of environmental tobacco smoke exposure (ETSE) on gestational age at delivery, birth weight, PTB, and being small-for-gestational age (SGA). Environmental tobacco smoke exposure was defined by either self-report or exhaled carbon monoxide (eCO) levels, and exposed women were compared with unexposed controls.

Smoking and Preterm Birth.

Premature birth is a significant global problem and the leading cause of newborn deaths. Tobacco smoking has been associated with premature birth for over 50 years. The mechanisms through which smoking exerts its effects on pregnancy outcomes remain unclear.

Central role for protein kinase C in oxytocin and epidermal growth factor stimulated cyclooxygenase 2 expression in human myometrial cells.

Background: Prostaglandins are important mediators of uterine contractility and cervical ripening during labour. Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), also known as prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2, is a rate limiting enzyme involved in the conversion of arachidonic acid into prostaglandins at parturition. In this paper, the pathways underlying agonist-induced cyclooxygenase-2 expression in human myometrial cells were studied.

The regulation of myosin phosphatase in pregnant human myometrium.

Myometrial smooth muscle contractility is regulated predominantly through the reversible phosphorylation of MYLs (myosin light chains), catalysed by MYLK (MYL kinase) and MYLP (MYL phosphatase) activities. MYLK is activated by Ca2+-calmodulin, and most uterotonic agonists operate through myometrial receptors that increase [Ca2+]i (intracellular Ca2+ concentration). Moreover, there is substantial evidence for Ca2+-independent inhibition of MYLP in smooth muscle, leading to generation of increased MYL phosphorylation and force for a given [Ca2+]i, a phenomenon known as 'Ca2+-sensitization'.

Surfactant proteins A and D in pregnancy and parturition.

Surfactant proteins A and D have extra-pulmonary expression at various mucosal sites including the reproductive tract. Reproductive tissues require a fine immune balance, strong enough to keep infection at a bay and at the same time, subtle enough to support an allogeneic fetus throughout the pregnancy. Roles of SP-A and SP-D have been studied in depth and include immunoregulatory function, besides strengthening the innate immune system against various pathogens in the lungs.

Analysis of preterm deliveries below 35 weeks' gestation in a tertiary referral hospital in the UK. A case-control survey.

Background: Preterm birth remains a major public health problem and its incidence worldwide is increasing. Epidemiological risk factors have been investigated in the past, but there is a need for a better understanding of the causes of preterm birth in well defined obstetric populations in tertiary referral centres; it is important to repeat surveillance and identify possible changes in clinical and socioeconomic factors associated with preterm delivery. The aim of this study was to identify current risk factors associated with preterm delivery and highlight areas for further research.

Is elevated maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein in the second trimester of pregnancy associated with increased preterm birth risk? A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: We have carried out a systematic review of the association between elevated second trimester maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and singleton preterm birth in order to determine its accuracy and the best AFP cut-off level in clinical tests in the general population.

Study Design: 24 studies published between January 1991 and October 2007 were included, comprising 207,135 women.

Results: An elevated AFP test (expressed as multiple of the median, MoM) had high specificity but low sensitivity to predict preterm birth: using a 2.

Therapeutic effects of recombinant forms of full-length and truncated human surfactant protein D in a murine model of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis.

Aspergillus fumigatus (Afu) is an opportunistic fungal pathogen that can cause fatal invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) in immunocompromised individuals. Previously, surfactant protein D (SP-D), a surfactant-associated innate immune molecule, has been shown to enhance phagocytosis and killing of Afu conidia by phagocytic cells in vitro. An intranasal treatment of SP-D significantly increased survival in a murine model of IPA.

Surfactant proteins SP-A and SP-D in human health and disease.

Surfactant proteins A (SP-A) and D (SP-D) are lung surfactant-associated hydrophilic proteins that have been implicated in surfactant homeostasis and pulmonary innate immunity. They are collagen-containing C-type (calcium-dependent) lectins, called collectins, and are structurally similar to mannose-binding protein of the lectin pathway of the complement system. Being carbohydrate pattern-recognition molecules, they recognize a broad spectrum of pathogens and allergens via the lectin domain, with subsequent activation of immune cells via the collagen region, thus offering protection against infection and allergenic challenge.

Surfactant proteins SP-A and SP-D: structure, function and receptors.

Surfactant proteins, SP-A and SP-D, are collagen-containing C-type (calcium dependent) lectins called collectins, which contribute significantly to surfactant homeostasis and pulmonary immunity. These highly versatile innate immune molecules are involved in a range of immune functions including viral neutralization, clearance of bacteria, fungi and apoptotic and necrotic cells, down regulation of allergic reaction and resolution of inflammation. Their basic structures include a triple-helical collagen region and a C-terminal homotrimeric lectin or carbohydrate recognition domain (CRD).

Immunological properties of human decidual macrophages--a possible role in intrauterine immunity.

Our aim was to investigate the contribution of decidual macrophages, which constitute an important immune component of the decidua in late gestation, to intrauterine defence mechanisms. Using flow cytometry we examined the ability of decidual macrophages, isolated from term decidua, to bind and phagocytose fluorescence-labelled bacterial and yeast bioparticles. We also assessed their ability to generate superoxide radicals and tumour necrosis factor-alpha following lipopolysaccharide challenge.

Identification and characterization of a novel interaction between pulmonary surfactant protein D and decorin.

Surfactant-associated protein D (SP-D) is a collectin that is present in lung surfactant and mucosal surfaces. Although SP-D regulates diverse functions, only a few proteins are known to bind to this collectin. Here we describe the co-purification of decorin, a novel SP-D-binding protein, from amniotic fluid.

Thromboxane receptor signalling in human myometrial cells.

We measured the effects of stable thromboxane A2 (TXA2) analogues on signalling in cultured human myometrial cells. U46619 and/or IBOP stimulated total inositol phosphates (IPs) and cAMP production, RhoA-associated protein kinase (ROK) activity and elevated intracellular calcium [Ca2+]i. Pretreatment of the cells with pertussis toxin did not inhibit IPs or [Ca2+]i production but the thromboxane receptor (TP) antagonist SQ-29548 did inhibit IPs and cAMP production, the elevation of [Ca2+]i, and the increase in ROK activity.